Food Glorious Food

Fri 21 to Sun 30 September 2012
The Festival is a showcase for Yorkshire Food. For 10 days, York city centre will have stands from farms all over Yorkshire, but you will also find stands from local delicatessens, ethnic food producers as well as national and continental guest producers.

The Festival believes strongly that food and drink education can be fun. Consequently we host cookery demonstrations, workshops and competitions for schools, amateur cooks and young chefs in Parliament Street and in York's Guildhall. There is also a top quality programme of drinks events including wine tastings, a Whisky Festival and a Festival Ale Trail around the city.

Unlike other Food Festivals, it is free to enter York Food Festival market place and most of the demonstration programme is also FREE. You need only buy tickets to specific dinners or tutored tastings that you wish to attend.

Local hotels and restaurants run special meal deals throughout the ten days and Festival goers can also buy a whole leaflet full of discounts and offers to be had at the Festival, just by calling the ticket line on 01904 466687. For more information visit: www.yorkfoodfestival.com

Get creative in the kitchen courses

Sat 15 and Sat 29 Sept

Sugar paste flowers

On Sat 15 Sept create decorative leaves and roses on this exciting one day sugar paste flowers course.
Whether you've used sugarpaste before or if you are new to this art, why not join our skilled and experienced tutor, Sue Cushing, to create beautiful sugar paste flowers that will look stunning on any celebration cake. This one-day workshop will show you how to create a small spray of beautifully realistic roses and leaves that would proudly grace any special cake.

You don't need to bring anything as all materials will be provided as well as refreshments throughout the day and a buffet style lunch. You just need to turn up, have fun and create something beautiful.
For age 18 and over.
Traditional breadmaking

On Sat 29 Sept spend a day making bread using traditional methods in the kitchens of the beautiful Mansion House in the centre of York.

The Mansion House is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York and has been entertaining guests for over 300 years. You will be given a guided tour of the house and have lunch in one of its elegant drawing rooms. At the end of the day, you’ll have the lovely food you’ve made to take home and enjoy.

With a few basic ingredients and a little kneading, you’ll create a range of delicious home-baked sweet and savoury breads such as soda bread, cheese and onion tear and share bread, herb and walnut rolls and raisin and cinnamon buns.

For more information and to book on a course visit www.feelinginspired.co.uk

800 years in a book!

Fri 14 September

Everyone is welcome to join us for the launch of this exciting new anthology which has been specially commissioned to celebrate York 800.

The collection reflects York's magnificently marvelous and interesting history, dating back from the Romans to the present day and enjoy seeing the city reflected in poetry, commissioned artwork, and historic photographs.

Sign up on the night for an opportunity to share poetry about York, the city.

For more information, email us at: yorkspokenword@yahoo.co.uk, or see our website: www.stairwellbooks.co.uk

After-work work out

Starts Tues 4 September

An 8 week Zumba course to get you feeling fitter and healthier after work.

Faye Endersby will take you through the Zumba moves and with infectious music you are sure to enjoy the party! Suitable for beginners and those who have tried Zumba before. Age group 16+.

To book contact Fiona Barker on 01904 553377 or e-mail Fiona.barker@york.gov.uk

Standing the test of time - Holgate Windmill

Wed 5 September

This illustrated talk centres around Holgate Windmill itself, its history, the technology involved in milling and its subsequent restoration.

Richard Green and Helen Hoult have been involved in the restoration project since the beginning and will use their substantial knowledge of the windmill to explore the windmill’s past with some humour and surprises along the way.

For further informaition and to book tickets visit Inspire

Ben Fogle: the Accidental Naturalist

Wed 5 September

Ben Fogle is a TV presenter, a writer and an adventurer. Since he first came to fame as part of the BBC Millennium project Castaway he has rarely stood still. He has raced across the Sahara, rowed across the Atlantic and crossed Antartica in a foot race to the South Pole.

He has also presented several TV programmes including Animal Park, Countryfile and Crufts as well as making documentaries on Captain Scott, crocodiles and much more. Ben is an ambassador for WWF, a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and supports many charities including Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and Tusk.

Ben's new book is the 'Accidental Naturalist' which tells the extraordinary true stories of Ben's amazing encounters with animals and how they changed his life.

Tickets cost £5 (including a glass of wine) and are available from Explore York on 01904 552828 or exploreyork@york.gov.uk, or call into your local library. For further information visit: http://www.york.gov.uk/leisure/Libraries/whatson/ben_fogle/

Foam and Water guaranteed!

Sun 2 September 2012

St Leonard's Hospice - It's a knockout

As well as the fun and excitement of the games, there will be stalls and activities mixed in to make the perfect recipe for a fun family day out!
For more information visit St Leonard's Hospice website